All of my close friends have played M-rated games or violent games at a friends house. I, however, have never done so myself.
Although I have never played the game, I sit around in the room sometimes while others play the game. Violent games have never really appealed to me. I more-so prefer simulation games and like to play things like Virtual Villagers and MyTribe, although I am not allowed to play The Sims 2 or 3 because they are rated T and probably will not be allowed to even when I turn 13 due to a lot of questionable content. In my opinion, it is wrong for a child to do that unless their parent(s) permit(s) it. It is sneaky and violating the trust their parent(s).

Kids know what is right and wrong. If they make a mistake they will learn. Do not force feed them information. Let them play games. They will learn.

If your kid is ready, they are ready. Why, I'm 11 (and a girl at that...) and I have seen so much blood, gore, gut ripping, head-slicing, and I've layed many violent games, since I was little, I played Ratchet and Clank, and that was a small baby step towards going onto T rated games when I was 6, PG-13 movies when I was 7, A bit gorier games, and Now, a few M rated games with R rated movies and Alt rock music. Hey, who says an 11 year old girl can't play Metal Gear Solid? If your kid wants to play a game, let them, if they are old enough and you think they can handle playing God of War III, let them.

M rated games are for ages 17 and above, so why are you letting your son play them when he is only 12? The fact that you are questioning your own methods should tell you that you are not being responsible. Think about it – the video game companies want to sell as many games as they can and they know that a higher rating may keep some parents from buying it, so when they give a T or M rating, their marketing departments are probably trying to get an even lower rating but cannot due to the rating system rules. I couldn’t agree more that what a child turns out to be is definitely up to the parent, and parents do have to start taking responsibility. That is exactly what I am doing when I set limits and actually pay attention to what my son is doing. I have to address what “tjbradley” said - “Playing violent games can …[improve] hand-eye coordination” is like saying that smoking improves your breathing. Please. The bottom line is that video gaming is only one of many entertaining things a child can spend their time doing. When that is ALL they do, they (and you) have a problem.

In my view, this website is merely playing as another Jack Thompson by spreading lies that video games are harmful to teenagers. Here's my take on the subject.

1. Over the past 10 to 15 years, there has actually been a steady decrease in teenage-related violent crime, despite a HUGE increase in violent video game sales.

2. A very large percentage of teenagers play violent video games. (I believe the last figures stated 85% or somewhere along those lines.) However, there are very few incidents where such games can be undeniably linked to violent behavior.

3. Many anti-video game advocates and websites misquote the studies that they cite. There are a myriad of different studies that do prove that video games can very well affect the brain of an average teenager. However, there's one major factor that they seem to omit - this increase in brain activity comes from immersion, and rarely produces any negative effect outside the confines of the virtual world, aside from maybe neglecting their homework and/or social life.

4. There are also studies that say playing violent games can actually be beneficial for a child's development by improving hand/eye coordination - something some children in today's society seem to lack.

5. The vast majority of gamers are actually quite benign by nature - they've learned how to separate fantasy from reality - some of them by themselves, and at a very young age.

The bottom line: Today's society seems to have lost its way, and the media isn't helping matters. They seem to be promoting a stance of over protection. If things keep going the way they are right now, today's kids will not know how to deal with real-world issues because their parents have sheltered them from such issues for so long.

Let's face it - whether a child turns out to be a benefit or a detriment to society ultimately depends on parental upbringing. That's right parents, you HAVE to get your heads out of this fantasy world you live in, and start taking responsibility. Society in general is giving today's parents too many excuses, instead of holding them to a higher standard like they should be.

Wow...This site is almost as bad as the ESRB. Seriously, you guys don't have a clue.

First off all, your kid should know the difference between real life and a game, so they don't make them lose empathy or be more aggressive. By the way, most of us do know the difference.

Yes, there is the occasional profanity, but there's also a mute button. We hear it at school every day. Parents who try to shelter their kids by not letting them play online don't have a clue.

Well to start of im 17, I have been playing games since i was about 8. My mom use to buy me pretty much the game I wanted if We had enough money after paying the bills,food, ect. I use to play games like Resident Evil, Conkers Bad Fur Day, Mortal Combat, All Rated M games.
The thing is that my mom usually told me what games looked fun from the cover and I usually ended up buying them, even if the cashier told her they were violent she still bought them.
Funny thing about the "Violent games make kids go bad" thing is that, I am the only person in my family that is going to graduate highschool, and I am proud to say that I have never done drugs, smoked, or drank in my life.

Last week I asked her why, because Almost everyone I know has parents that don't let them watch rated R movies, have a computer in there room with internet, don't let them listen to much music or play rated M games. She told me "Because The kid that's going to be bad will be bad, and I know that you are not one of them, and also I don't have to spend all night or all day worrying where you are because I know that you are in your room on the Wii or on the computer "

i am not in to gun games only one for xbox360 i played at my friend ryans house i am not sure what it was called but it had soliders fighting giant tranturesand aliens it was rated t and it was cool well i am going to play ncaa football 07 see ya

"Studies have proven that playing violent videogames increases aggressive
feelings while decreasing empathy" That is not true. There are alot of studies about this topic but none have any real evidence proving anything.
I have been playing videogames forever almost ( actually one of the fist games I ever played was given a 16+ rating by this site). and I don't go around thinking about killing people or shooting random people in the streets. I can tell the difference between real life and videogames and when the video said videogames decreases empathy thats way not true.
So now Im going to go play some killzone 2, then I'll come back into the real world and eat some yogurt or something.

depending on the game, you might not have to worry. Halo, isn't as bad as the rating suggests, its about killing, but it has no realistic blood and no swearing. Most M games don't deserve to be M, the only thing that I could possibly concerned about is GTA. The first step is inquire about the game, then, if its not GTA, sit back, relax, no worry, been playing M games since I was 6, have I killed somone: NO. If it is GTA, complain, or you could try playing and get addicted just like you child (could be beneficial to your relationship).

I Agree With "Ihatethissite" (Nice Name Too By The Way). Well, If Your Kid Can Establish That Video Games are Fantasy And NOT Reality, Then It Shouldn't Be A Problem. Sure, I Admit, I Have Played Rated "M" Games From the Age Of 12, I May Have Had Some Increase In Aggressive Thoughts (But I Was Bullied CONSTANTLY During That Time, More Of a Factor Than Violent Video Games? Yes, I Would Think). But In Reality, I Have Never Just Wanted To Walk Out Onto The Street And Just Kill Someone. It's Called Differentiating Between A Game And Life. And I Watched The Video At The Top Of This Page, They Call WORLD OF WARCRAFT Violent? Are You Joking? And Yes, Trash Talking Is Present While Online, But That Is What The "MUTE" Option is For. Mute The Player You Don't Want To Hear, Done. And Seriosuly, ANYBODY That Actually Has a Brain Will NOT Give ANY Personal Information Over Xbox Live...